Friday, January 2, 2009

I wish you Success in 2009

The following is one of my favorite quotes~ A definition of success by Ralph Waldo Emerson. I added boldface to some of the words for emphasis.

To laugh often and much;

To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children;

To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends;

To appreciate beauty;
To find the best in others;

To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition;

To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived;

This is to have succeeded.

May I ask, what is success to you? Is it riches? Power? Receiving accolades, awards and praise? Having the most toys, the nicest house in the best neighborhood? Is it winning at all costs?

I hope it's broader than any of those things. More aligned with the definition above.

Success is authentic living from the heart-- with the ever-present memory that we are God's creation; that we are loved into existence every day, and that we are blessed, whether we feel it or not.

When we know this in our core, we can begin to think about each day as a gift and an opportunity to love. And before we know it, we will naturally be doing each one of Emerson's Success Ideas.

No comments: